Cruise holidays 2016: where to go when

Madeira’s Flower Festival is a fragrant celebration that takes place in the capital Funchal and can be visited on a cruise visit

20 January 2016 • 12:00am

Choose a cruise that ties in with a major event and get the best of both worlds: a relaxing break on board and easy access to the event, usually with tickets included and transport laid on.

March 2016

Total Eclipse of the Sun in Indonesia

Crossing Indonesia and the Western Pacific, this rare spectacle from March 8-9 will last up to three minutes for those on the path of totality in Indonesia, and be seen as partial eclipse over much of south-east Asia and Australia.

Holland America Line offers a 16-night Indonesian Explorer & Solar Eclipse voyage on Volendam, round-trip from Singapore, departing March 1 2016. The ship will be in the Makassar Strait and, weather permitting, right on the eclipse centreline, on March 9. From £2,299pp including flights. (0843 374 2300)

Spring is the best time to cruise for the Keukenhof tulip displays Photo: AP

April 2016

Keukenhof

A seven-day luxury cruise, led by Alan Titchmarsh, wends its way through the Netherlands when spring is at its zenith. This voyage through Holland includes a full-day excursion to Keukenhof’s 32 hectares of gardens and also visits Hortus Bulborum, the only museum in the world devoted to the conservation of historic bulb varieties.

Telegraph Tours offers a seven-day Holland in Bloom with Alan Titchmarsh cruise starting and ending in Amsterdam, departing April 13 and April 19, 2016. From £2,047pp including flights (03330 059164; telegraph.co.uk/titchmarshtour).

Follow our calendar for expert advice on where to cruise in which month Photo: AP

Madeira Flower Festival

This fragrant celebration takes place in Madeira’s capital, Funchal, from April 7-13, when its streets display a profusion of blooms in flower “carpets”, sculptures and other decorations. As well as calling there during the festival, Fred Olsen’s cruise visits botanical gardens in Lisbon and Tenerife.

May 2016

Cannes Film Festival

Spotting stars is easy at this prestigious event from May 11-22, which marries red-carpet glitz with yesteryear glamour of the French Riviera. Spend a night in Cannes with Celebrity Cruises, which also offers an optional visit to a VIP reception ashore during the festival.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Set in the grounds of London’s Royal Hospital Chelsea from May 24-28, this bouquet of inspiration covers garden design, plants, ornaments and tools. A Thames cruise on hotel barge Magna Carta includes visits to Chelsea, Kew Gardens and Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park.

European Waterways offers a six-night Chelsea Flower Show cruise from Hampton Court to Henley-on-Thames, departing May 22, 2016. From £3,250pp (01753 598555; gobarging.com).

June to August 2016

Arena di Verona Opera Festival

Verona’s Roman amphitheatre is the setting for atmospheric summer nights at the opera between June 24 and August 28. With this Mediterranean sailing Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering a free two-night pre-cruise stay in Verona, with tickets to see Bizet’s Carmen on August 5.

The Armed Forces and military bands and son et lumière all feature in this gathering at Edinburgh Castle in August Photo: Getty

August 2016

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

The Armed Forces, display teams, military bands and son et lumière all feature in this gathering at Edinburgh Castle from August 5 to 27. Join the audience during an overnight in Rosyth (for Edinburgh) on Fred Olsen’s round-Britain cruise.

Fred Olsen offers an 11-night Great British Cruise, a round trip from Southampton, departing August 8, 2016. From £1,299pp (0800 035 5242; fredolsencruises.com).

September 2016

Rhine in Flames

A fabulous fireworks show on September 10, above the storybook German town of Oberwesel, is a highlight of the Rhine in Flames festival. Be at the centre of the action on this Night of the Thousand Fires when cruiser Lady Anne joins the flotilla of ships on parade.

The River Cruise Line offers an eight-day Rhine in Flames cruise from Andernach to Cologne, departing September 6, 2016. From £809pp, including coach/ferry travel (0844 544 6625; rivercruiseline.co.uk).

This French Riviera regatta is a major event in the classic yacht-racing calendar Photo: AP

Les Voiles de St Tropez

This French Riviera regatta from September 26 to October 2, a major event in the classic yacht-racing calendar, attracts vessels from all over the world. Tall ship Star Flyer will drop anchor in the floating flotilla – a prime position for the event.

December 2016

Funchal New Year’s Eve Fireworks

Madeira’s fireworks display, which gained the Guinness world record for the largest such show in 2006/7, erupts on the stroke of midnight. Watch from the decks of Saga Pearl II, which moors overnight in Funchal.

Saga offers a 17-night Festive Cruise to the Canaries, a round trip from Southampton, departing December 20, 2016. From £3,122pp (0800 505030; saga.co.uk/cruises).

"On Fat Tuesday New Orleans throws its annual party – a series of floats and parades watched by thousands."

February 2017

Rio Carnival

Take time to enjoy Rio de Janeiro’s explosion of colourful costumes and Latin rhythms when Celebrity Infinity spends three days in the city.

Mardi Gras

On Fat Tuesday New Orleans throws its annual party – a series of floats and parades watched by thousands. In 2017 it’s on February 28, when Balmoral will moor overnight during a voyage that also visits Mexico, the Caribbean and Florida.